Loading…
Unidentified armed men ambushed a UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) patrol travelling to Pajut in Jonglei State on 24 August 2026, killing two peacekeepers and injuring seven other people.
The seven injured were three peacekeepers, two South Sudan National Police Service personnel and two civilian staff; UNMISS deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area.
India condemned the attack the same day, paid tribute to the fallen Ethiopian Blue Helmet and demanded an immediate and thorough investigation with full accountability.
India's statement urged full adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 2589, which India itself piloted during its Council presidency in August 2021.
India is the largest troop-contributing country to UNMISS, with 1,775 military personnel deployed as of April 2026.
UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1996, establishing UNMISS on the eve of South Sudan's independence.
South Sudan formally becomes independent, the world's youngest sovereign state.
Civil conflict breaks out in South Sudan, driving mass displacement and forcing the mission to shelter civilians on its own bases.
Resolution 2155 reprioritises the UNMISS mandate towards protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance.
India, holding the Security Council presidency, pilots Resolution 2589 on accountability for crimes against peacekeepers; it is adopted unanimously with over 80 co-sponsors.
Patrol ambushed near Pajut; two peacekeepers killed. India and the UN Secretary-General condemn the attack.
Multidimensional peacekeeping operation mandated to protect civilians, monitor human rights, facilitate humanitarian access and support the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS)
Created UNMISS through Resolution 1996 (2011) and renews its mandate; adopted Resolution 2155 (2014) reprioritising protection of civilians and Resolution 2589 (2021) on accountability for crimes against peacekeepers
India is the largest troop-contributing country to UNMISS, with 1,775 military personnel deployed as of April 2026, alongside contingents from Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Rwanda.
India piloted this resolution during its Security Council presidency in August 2021; it was adopted unanimously with more than 80 co-sponsors and is the instrument India invoked in its 2026 statement.
UNMISS operates under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which deals with action in respect of threats to the peace, allowing robust mandates that go beyond self-defence in order to protect civilians.
The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is the political settlement UNMISS is mandated to support through its good offices.
GS Paper II > International Relations > Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora
General Awareness > Indian Armed Forces in UN Peacekeeping
General Awareness > International Organisations
Informal name for a UN peacekeeper, from the light-blue helmet or beret worn to mark UN service.
A member state that supplies military personnel to a UN peacekeeping operation.
The part of the UN Charter dealing with action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression; it permits robust mandates including the use of force.
Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, the peace framework UNMISS is mandated to support.
A standby peacekeeping unit held ready to deploy at short notice to secure an area after an incident.